FC Goa secured their first win of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season in spectacular fashion, edging past East Bengal 3-2 in an exhilarating contest at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Friday. The star of the night was undoubtedly Borja Herrera, who stole the spotlight with a sensational hat-trick, propelling the Gaurs to their first triumph of the season. This match had everything—brilliant goals, intense competition, and late drama, all of which made it a game to remember.
A Fiery Start from FC Goa
From the very start, FC Goa looked determined to make their mark. Within minutes of kickoff, they had already begun pressing East Bengal’s defense, with players like Dejan Drazic, Borja Herrera, and Boris Singh causing havoc in the final third. It was only a matter of time before the visitors’ relentless efforts paid off.
In the 13th minute, FC Goa’s persistence was rewarded when Drazic whipped in a dangerous cross from the left. Although East Bengal’s goalkeeper Debjit Majumder managed to parry the ball away, it fell kindly to Borja Herrera. The Spanish midfielder made no mistake, coolly slotting it into the net to give Goa an early lead.
Borja Herrera Doubles the Lead
Just seven minutes later, FC Goa struck again. This time, Boris Singh won possession from Hijazi Maher on the right flank and quickly cut the ball back into the box. There was Borja Herrera, lurking in the right place at the right time, to calmly slam the ball home for his second goal of the night. With the score now at 2-0, Goa seemed to be in full control, and Borja was on fire.
East Bengal’s Response
Despite being two goals down, East Bengal didn’t back down. Coached by Carles Cuadrat, they regrouped and started to find their rhythm. Their breakthrough came in the 29th minute when Nim Dorjee tripped Madih Talal inside the box, gifting East Bengal a penalty. Talal stepped up to the spot and calmly sent Laxmikant Kattimani the wrong way, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
This goal reignited the Red and Gold Brigade’s hopes, and they began the second half with renewed energy. Their attack looked dangerous, and they were creating opportunities, but they couldn’t capitalize on their early momentum.
Borja Herrera Completes His Hat-Trick
While East Bengal was pushing for an equalizer, FC Goa found a way to hit them on the counter. In the 71st minute, Udanta Singh won possession from Hijazi and fed the ball to Borja Herrera in space. With composure and skill, Herrera weaved his way into the penalty area before firing the ball past Majumder to complete his hat-trick. At 3-1, FC Goa once again had a comfortable two-goal cushion, and Borja’s performance had the fans in awe.
Late Drama: East Bengal’s Fightback
The match, however, was far from over. In the 81st minute, Carl McHugh of FC Goa received his second yellow card, reducing his team to ten men and offering East Bengal a numerical advantage. Sensing an opportunity, East Bengal ramped up the pressure, and in the 85th minute, they got their reward. David Lalhlansanga pounced on a rebound after Kattimani could only parry a long-range effort from Anwar Ali, making it 3-2.
Tense Final Minutes
With just a few minutes left on the clock, East Bengal threw everything they had at FC Goa in search of an equalizer. The tension in the stadium was palpable as wave after wave of East Bengal attacks came crashing into FC Goa’s defense. However, the Gaurs held firm, defending with resilience and determination. Despite East Bengal’s best efforts, they couldn’t find a third goal, and FC Goa managed to see out the game and claim all three points.
FAQs
Borja Herrera scored a hat-trick for FC Goa, leading them to a 3-2 victory over East Bengal.
The final score was 3-2 in favor of FC Goa.
Madih Talal scored from the penalty spot, and David Lalhlansanga added a late goal for East Bengal.
Carl McHugh of FC Goa received a second yellow card in the 81st minute and was sent off.
This victory lifts FC Goa to second place in the ISL standings with 11 points from five games.
Conclusion
In the end, Borja Herrera’s hat-trick proved to be the difference in an electrifying match that had fans on the edge of their seats. FC Goa’s first win of the season was a testament to their attacking prowess and ability to weather the storm in the face of late pressure. East Bengal, on the other hand, will be left to rue missed opportunities and defensive lapses.
This victory lifts FC Goa to an early-season high, propelling them to second place in the ISL standings with 11 points from five games. Meanwhile, East Bengal remains near the bottom of the table, sitting fourteenth with just four points from their first five outings.
The match showcased everything that makes the Indian Super League special—talent, drama, and the kind of thrilling football that keeps fans coming back for more.
